STRESS FREE, FIDO FESTIVE AND A COOL YULE TO ALL!

I hope you had a paweosome Christmas!
Today’s special guest is Tricia Montgomery, the Founder of “K9 FITNESS CLUB”. I hope by now you had a chance to watch their great show “Sit, Stay & Get Fit” on DOGTV (Weekends at 9am/9pm).

Tis the season to be jolly, but for you and your pooch, can be a time of stress, little exercise and holiday happenings. With the average weight gain during the holiday season of 8 – 12 pounds (and that’s just humans….) Oh My Dog!!! That’s probably not the gift you were hoping for this year!

The holidays can be stressful enough without trying to maintain a regular exercise schedule for you both. But, at the same time, staying active will give you more energy to accomplish everything on your list – and reduce stress. Did you also know, among a multitude of other healthy effects, exercise actually helps to control food cravings, de-stress the body, and increase calorie-burning.

What better PAWtner to keep you healthy, help you maintain and keep you active? Your Pooch! Research shows that people who own dogs are 34 percent more likely to get the recommended minimum amount of exercise each week, thanks to their furry friends.

Speaking of exercising with our best friend, they will never have too many office parties, spiked eggnog and cancel on you! Most of all, you will have fun as you are your best friend are burning calories, getting healthy and happy.

Here are some Cool Yule un-holiday exercises from K9 Fit Club that makes Working Out Not So Ruff™

Santa’s Sit & Sleigh Lunges

1. Begin standing with your feet together. Your dog should be on your left side

2. Take a giant step out to your right with your right leg, landing with your knee bent to absorb the impact. As you step, bring your dog with you, switching lead to right side. Have him sit while you hold the lunge for a count of 15 seconds.

3. Push off the right food and return to starting position with your dog moving with you in same direction. During each side, be sure to hold the lunge while your dog is in an obedient sit.

4. Repeat 10 times on the right and 10 times on the left, providing your dog plenty of praise.

Rudolph’s Reverse Lunges

1. With your dog directly in front of you, holding the leash in your left hand a guiding with your right, begin in a standing position.

2. Take a giant step backward with your left leg, reaching in your right leg back behind you. Lower the body down so your left knee forms a 90 degree angle.

3. Press through the heel of your left foot and return to standing. Alternate between your right and left leg. With each step, bringing your dog with you.

4. Perform the same step backward using your right leg, with your left leg behind you.

5. Repeat 10 times on the right leg and 10 times on the left leg.

Candy Cane Canine Crunch

Instead of reaching for the candy dish, reach for your canine!

1. Start with your back down on the ground and your dog sitting and staying on your left side!

2. Inch your feet in until your knees are bent!

3. Place your hands on the back of your head or behind your ears!

4. Engage your abdominals as you lift your shoulder blades off the ground!

5. Hold the crunch and while keeping your lower spine and hips flat, reach one arm across to touch your opposite knee!

6. Return your hand behind your head as you use your abs to slowly lower your shoulders back to the ground!

7. Briefly rest before you perform another crunch and reach to the opposite side!

8. To make things more interesting, alternate lifting one foot off the ground and point your knee to your head on every up!

9. Praise your dog for being obedient and staying by giving them a pat on the head with your hand on every other canine crunch!

Keep in mind, during those holiday dinners and parties, stay on your feet helping in the kitchen (without eating as you’re helping), play a game of fetch with your dog, throw around the ball, get up, get out and get moving! Don’t give you and your pooch’s metabolism a chance to slow down. After those big meals and parties, go for a walk with the best friend. As always, prior to beginning any exercise program for you or your dog, check with your doctor and your veterinarian.

As the Leader in human/canine fitness in the Nation, it is our business to get people and their pooches healthy. Being healthy begins with a healthy weight for both of you. K9 Fit Cub believes that that a great fitness program and a smart and healthy weight program can help reduce the risk of future health problems.